Welcoming Regan Hollioake to the team
Regan Hollioake,joined the Parcours team as a Professional Triathlete in 2026. Regan in just her third year as a Professional Triathlete, already has three IRONMAN wins, and one Challenge full distance wins to her name!
This year she kicked off her season racing IRONMAN New Zealand, where she went as the defending Champion, and then onto the T100 Gold Coast, back in her home country of Australia.
We chatted to Regan about her start to the year and the different approaches to each race.
What did your training look like leading into IMNZ, and then into T100 given the short turnaround?
I spent the summer at home in Victoria, which allowed me to settle into some really consistent routines, spend time with loved ones, and enjoy the Australian summer. I did start the year dealing with a run injury, which meant very limited run volume leading in, but we made the most of it with consistent work in the swim and bike.
After a really restorative off-season, the focus was on building a solid aerobic base that could carry me through what’s shaping up to be a long race season. We knew going into Ironman New Zealand that I wasn’t at my absolute best, but it’s a long year—and as much as that race means a lot to me, I couldn’t expect to peak in March if I want to be at my best later in the season.
The turnaround into the T100 Triathlon World Tour was a big shift. I received a very last-minute wildcard entry, so there wasn’t time to do any specific short-course preparation. It became about absorbing IMNZ, freshening up, and sharpening where possible. In between those races, I also packed up my life and moved interstate, so it was a busy and exciting period with a lot going on.
What did you feel going into IMNZ as defending champion, and then into T100?
Going into IMNZ as defending champion naturally comes with added pressure. You’re no longer flying under the radar—there are expectations, both external and internal. But I tried to reframe that as confidence. I know the course, I know what it takes to win there, and that helped keep me grounded. With it being part of the pro series this year, the level of competition was also higher—there was a lot on the line with Kona slots, prize money, and points, and everyone wanted it.
Heading into T100 felt very different. It was a new format, a different field, and I was coming off a full-distance race. The mindset shifted from defending to testing myself. There was less pressure and more curiosity—about where I’d stack up and how my body would respond to back-to-back race weeks across very different formats.
How did New Zealand go versus T100?
Like most professional athletes, I can be pretty critical of myself. We had three key goals going into IMNZ:
- Secure a Kona slot
- Earn solid pro series points
- Fight for a podium
I achieved two out of three, which I’m proud of—but when I break the race down, there are plenty of areas for improvement.
The swim was below par. I’ve historically struggled in cold water, and despite trying a few new strategies, I just couldn’t get going. It’s something we’re still working on.
On the bike, I had a mechanical issue with my base bar coming loose, which forced me to stop and cost some time. It also made the descents pretty sketchy. Despite that, I rode strongly—entirely solo—and didn’t lose much time to the front group, which was a real confidence boost. My new bike and wheelset felt fantastic and genuinely fast, which is exciting heading into future races.
The run was also underwhelming. We knew going in that my run fitness wasn’t quite there, but you always hope something clicks on race day. It didn’t this time—but I dug deep to finish 6th, secure a Kona slot, and earn solid points. It was a tough way to start the season, but I’m proud of how I fought it out and there are plenty of positives to take forward.
T100 was a completely new experience, which I approached with an open mind. The surf swim was rough but actually really fun—something different that added another layer to the race. Unfortunately, I had more bad luck with a flat tyre early in the second lap. I rode the rim carefully back to the mechanics, but it definitely disrupted the race, and it was hard to get going again afterward.
The run again wasn’t where I wanted it to be, and while there were some good patches, the race highlighted a few key areas to improve—particularly top-end speed and the ability to respond quickly to surges. It wasn’t the result I was hoping for, but it was a valuable learning experience, and I’m excited to have another crack at this format with a more specific build in the future.
Did expectations and outcomes match for both races?
At IMNZ, I achieved two out of three key goals. It wasn’t perfect, and I had to really fight for it, but securing an early Kona qualification and a solid points haul made it a worthwhile result.
T100 was a bit different. I went in open-minded, but like any athlete, I hoped to be more competitive. The outcome didn’t quite match that, but it provided a really valuable benchmark moving forward.
How was racing in New Zealand versus racing at home in T100?
Racing in Taupō is always special. The crowds really embrace the race, and there’s a deep history there that gives the event a unique atmosphere. It’s a course and event that means a lot to me, and I’m already looking forward to returning.
Racing at home for T100 had a different kind of energy. There’s comfort in familiar surroundings and having local support, which is incredibly motivating, but it also brings a different kind of pressure.
Do you prefer the T100/half distance or the full distance? What’s next, and what have you learned over the last two years as a pro?
Both distances play to different strengths. The full distance suits my strengths and what I’ve traditionally trained for—it rewards patience, execution, and experience. The T100/half distance is exciting in a different way; it demands speed and precision, with very little margin for error, and that’s something I’m really motivated to keep improving.
The next block of racing is close to home, with Western Sydney 70.3 and then Ironman Cairns, before heading overseas to continue the pro series campaign.
The past two years as a professional have been full of highs and lows, lessons, and growth—and above all, a real sense of gratitude. Not long ago, I was working a 9–5 job in a small country town. Now I get to swim, bike, and run for a living, travel the world, and compete in incredible places with great people. That’s something I never take for granted.
What I’ve learned most is that the joy is in the process, not just the results. The daily routines, the habits you build, and the people you surround yourself with—that’s what really matters. I’ve had wins and tough races, and I’ve come to realise that things are never as good or as bad as they seem in the moment. Both success and failure are part of the journey, and neither defines you.
More than anything, I’ve learned to back myself and have a go. Some of the biggest opportunities I’ve had came from stepping into races I initially thought were beyond me. You never really know what’s possible unless you put yourself out there.
